US War Secretary Hegseth Praises 'Unexpected Friendship' With Pakistan PM Sharif, Munir
US official points to improving ties with Pakistan leaders.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday said an “unexpected true friendship” is emerging between the United States and Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Hegseth made the remarks while addressing delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security summit attended by defence officials and policymakers from across the world.
During his address, Hegseth credited US President Donald Trump with helping ease tensions between India and Pakistan following their military confrontation last year. He cited the understanding reached between the two nuclear-armed neighbours as an example of diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing regional instability.
Hegseth also highlighted the growing strategic relationship between the United States and India, describing India as a key partner in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He noted that defence cooperation between the two countries has expanded in recent years, reflecting shared interests in regional security, maritime stability and economic growth.
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The US official further acknowledged that both India and Pakistan continue to view each other through the lens of national security concerns. He said it was understandable that both countries perceive threats from one another and may pursue military capabilities accordingly, including the development of strategic deterrence systems.
India has consistently maintained that the understanding reached after last year's conflict was the result of direct engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad. Indian officials have repeatedly rejected suggestions of third-party mediation, asserting that bilateral issues between the two countries are resolved through direct channels.
Despite ongoing differences between India and Pakistan, Hegseth praised both nations for their broader contributions to international stability. His remarks come at a time when geopolitical competition, regional security concerns and strategic partnerships continue to shape the evolving security landscape across the Indo-Pacific region.
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